Malvern Hills moves forward with policy to support vulnerable people

At this week's meeting of the council's executive committee, members voted unanimously for a policy to make sure that council staff and volunteers are on the look-out for victims of violence and exploitation.

Ivor Pumfrey, the council's head of community services, said: "The responsibilities of the council when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable people are becoming increasingly complex.

"Because of high-profile cases elsewhere in the country, there has been a lot of media attention to failures by local authorities and other agencies to protect vulnerable people, and there are now extra duties placed on local authorities."

Among the new responsibilities are for victims of domestic abuse and violence, child sexual exploitation, modern slavery and honour-based abuse such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

The authority also has a duty under counter-terrorism laws to ensure that publicly-owned premises are not used to disseminate extremist views.

Cllr Rebecca Massey, who proposed approval, said that if approved, it will now go out to consultation with other local authorities and agencies.

Cllr Melanie Baker, who seconded the proposal, said: "With the changing social landscape, I believe the council has its part to play in the protection of vulnerable children and adults."

Cllr Julian Roskams said: "I broadly support this, we have seem extremism in other councils and other parts of the country, but it's very important it doesn't become a box-ticking exercise.

"The one area that does worry me is the bit about public premises being used for disseminating extremist views. It's a ridiculous idea because how do you define extremism. I want to renationalise the railways. Is that an extremist idea?"

Cllr Paul Cumming said: "We've seem reports of children being radicalised by extremists, and while I don't believe it will happen here, we have to be on the look-out for it."